Industry News
$52m Mars upgrade supported by government
Ai Group has welcomed the Victorian Government’s announcement of support for the $52 million expansion of the Mars confectionery plant in Ballarat. [ + ]
Fonterra to develop $100m UHT plant
Fonterra will invest more than NZ$100 million in a new UHT milk processing plant at its Waitoa site in New Zealand. CEO Theo Spierings said the new plant would enable the co-operative to meet growing demand for UHT products in Asia. [ + ]
Rosella to shed 70 jobs
The remaining 70 employees of iconic food manufacturer Rosella Foods will be made redundant after efforts to sell the business proved unsuccessful. [ + ]
V8s for Australians living in poverty
Campbell’s has donated 225,000 serves of vegetables to Australians in need to mark the official opening of its $14.6 million dollar PET line at its Shepparton facility. [ + ]
Consumers don’t trust the Big 10 brands
More than 50% of Australians don’t trust the ‘Big 10’ food and drink companies, according to Oxfam’s Behind the Brands report, which assessed the companies on their sourcing of agricultural commodities from developing countries. [ + ]
Sensory test gives fast results in natural setting
A new test developed by the University of Copenhagen allows sensory researchers to conduct rapid product tests under natural circumstances using larger groups. [ + ]
Coles is a bad egg, says Humane Society
The Humane Society International has branded Coles’ changed free-range standard an attempt to “dupe” consumers and “hijack the business of genuine free-range egg producers”. [ + ]
Key Technology and Visys to merge
Key Technology and Visys NV, a leading provider of chute-fed in-air sorters used by food processors and waste recyclers, have entered into a merger agreement. [ + ]
Bakery exhibition postponed to 2014
The SIAB International Techno-Bake Exhibition, which was due to be held in Verona in May 2013, has been postponed to 2014. [ + ]
O-I partners with university to advance R&D
Owens-Illinois Inc has signed a three-year agreement with the University of Toledo’s Department of Chemical & Environmental Engineering to support research at O-I’s new R&D Innovation Center. [ + ]
Workforce Development Service will help SMEs improve their competitive edge
A Manufacturing Workforce Development Service (MWDS) has been formed to work with manufacturing SMEs to support them and assist them to access the government’s National Workforce Development Fund (NWDF). [ + ]
Scholarship program attracts new talent to dairy processing industry
Leading Australian dairy manufacturers are opening their doors to develop the skills of talented graduates as part of Dairy Australia’s 2013 Manufacturing Scholarship program. [ + ]
Cask wine sales falling, imports increasing
When it comes to wine, Australians are opting for bottle rather than cask - but less money is making its way into Australian wine producers’ pockets. [ + ]
Marketing and sustainable packaging round table
RMIT University and the Sustainable Packaging Alliance will host a one-day round table to explore the marketing advantages of packaging for sustainability. [ + ]
Carbon price helps food processer cut emissions and energy costs
A $1.17 million Clean Technology Food and Foundries Investment Program grant, funded from carbon-price revenue, will help Primo Smallgoods to reduce emissions and slash energy costs. [ + ]
